Tiltable trailer hitch

Abstract

A tiltable trailer hitch for assisting in the loading and unloading of a trailer. The hitch includes a shank adapted to be received within a conventional trailer hitch and a ballmount pivotally mounted on the shank. An adjustment bracket is carried by the shank and is adapted to attach a ballmount. The adjustment bracket defines cooperating pairs of first openings and cooperating pairs of second openings. The second openings are radially spaced apart about a first of the first openings. The first openings are radially spaced apart about a first of the second openings. The ballmount defines first and second openings for cooperatively receiving the first and second ballmount locking pins. The trailer is tilted up or down by moving the first and second ballmount locking pins up and down within the cooperating pairs of first and second openings.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Not Applicable.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Field of Invention[0004]The present invention pertains to the field of vehicle trailers. More particularly, this invention is related to a trailer hitch configured to selectively tilt relative to the towing vehicle in order to reduce an angle of incline between a loading ramp and each of the trailer deck and the surface on or from which the trailered vehicle is being unloaded or loaded.[0005]2. Description of the Related Art[0006]In the field of towing, it is well known that trailers are often used to transport vehicles of various types and sizes. Transported vehicles, such as automobiles, construction equipment and military equipment, roll on and off the loading end of the trailer. Typically, ramps are used to roll equipment or automobiles up the short height. The ramps are installed between the trailer de...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a tiltable trailer hitch for assisting in the loading and unloading of a vehicle onto a trailer. The hitch includes a drawbar assembly with a shank and an adjustment bracket. The shank is designed to be received within a conventional trailer hitch and has openings for a locking pin. The adjustment bracket has a first side and a second side with openings for a locking pin. The hitch can be mounted on a towing vehicle and the ballmount can be positioned to lower the elevation of the hitch ball. The technical effects of the invention include reducing the angle between the trailer and the ramp, making it easier to load and unload vehicles onto trailers, and improving the stability of the vehicle during loading and unloading."

Problems solved by technology

When the vehicle is being loaded or unloaded, the acute angle at the bottom of the ramp often creates a clearance problem between the vehicle and the trailer.

For a vehicle being driven forward onto the trailer, the clearance problem exists between the front end of the vehicle and the ramp.

Further, the obtuse angle at the top of the ramp creates a clearance problem between the portion of the vehicle between the axles and the loading end of the trailer.

In each situation, the loading and unloading of such equipment is to some extent uncontrolled.

Additionally, various complex mechanical devices have been devised to be carried the vehicle or the trailer to assist in tilting the trailer in order to reduce the respective angles between the trailer, the ramp and the ground.

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